me, myself And i...A Look At Assam From The Bottom Up

GUWAHATI: The All Assam Minorities Students' Union (Aamsu) on Monday sought compensation for victims of ethnic riots that broke out in Darrang and Udalguri districts in Assam two years ago. The students' body also submitted a memorandum to governor J B Patnaik, seeking his intervention into the problems that they are facing.

Aamsu alleged that farmers and business establishment owners who were the worst sufferers are yet to get any compensation from the government.

"Though about 50 per cent victims of the riot were compensated but the shop owners and farmers are yet to get any help from the government," said Aamsu general secretary Ainuddin Ahmed, adding that more than 1,500 shops were gutted or looted during that period."The farmers suffered a lot as their crops were looted. They are finding it difficult to stand up again and continue their work after the riot blow. Normally, our farmers are from poor families and they have to depend on loans, but such circumstances ruined everything," Ahmed said.

Criticising chief minister Tarun Gogoi, an Aamsu member said the chief minister has failed to keep his promise and work towards the development of minority communities in the state. "We are seeking a fitting compensation for the victims so that they can lead a normal life again," he said, adding that if their demands were not met, the Congress and BPF would have to face the fury during the fast-approaching assembly elections. Aamsu also criticized education minister Gautam Bora for failing to visit the Kharupetia College which was allegedly burnt down by miscreants last year.